How to water young trees properly during drought: This is how water reaches the roots

A green crown tip does not necessarily mean a young tree is sufficiently supplied. Especially in the first years its roots barely extend beyond the original root ball. If the soil stays dry for a long time, the tree therefore needs targeted help: not a small spray every day, but slow, penetrating water at the right spot.

The need is particularly urgent in 2026. According to GeoSphere Austria, from January to June there was 27 percent less precipitation nationwide than the long-term average. In many regions the deficit was significantly larger. How much an individual tree needs still depends on planting year, size, soil, location and actual rainfall.

Which trees need water first

Priority is given to newly planted trees and shrubs in their first three growing years. Their root area is still small while leaves lose a lot of water by evaporation on hot, windy days. According to "Natur im Garten", roots should have grown deep enough after three to five years to better support themselves. In extreme drought, however, additional watering may still be necessary after that.

How much water is a useful guideline?

"Natur im Garten" gives a rough guideline for a young tree, depending on size:75 to 100 liters per weekfrom spring to autumn. This amount is not a fixed calendar value: substantial rain counts, sandy soil retains less water than loam, and a large newly planted tree needs more than a small shrub.

If the soil is very permeable or heat persists, divide the weekly amount into two watering sessions if necessary. The crucial point is that the water soaks slowly into the root ball and the adjacent soil. A ten-litre watering can makes the amount easier to estimate than a garden hose. With the hose you can time how long it takes to fill a ten-litre bucket.

Watering a young tree correctly: Step by step

1. Check the soil:Push aside some mulch and check the soil a few centimetres deep. A dry surface alone says little. If the soil underneath is cool and malleable, wait; if it crumbles to dust, water is needed.
2. Create a watering rim:Form a low earth rim around the original root ball. The basin holds water back instead of letting it run off across dry or compacted soil.
3. Start early:According to "DIE UMWELTBERATUNG", early morning is the best time. Less water evaporates and accidentally wet leaves can dry quickly.
4. Water slowly in stages:First give part of the water, wait until it soaks in, and then continue watering. If the surface is hard, gently loosen the topsoil without damaging roots.
5. Target the root ball and surrounding area:With a young tree the root ball must be supplied first. As the tree ages, the surrounding area also becomes important so new roots can grow into the adjacent soil.
6. Redistribute mulch:A loose layer of suitable shredded material retains moisture in the soil. Leave a small gap around the trunk so the bark doesn't stay constantly wet.
7. Check again:Check the next day in one spot whether the water has penetrated deeper. If only the surface remains wet, the application was too fast or too small.

Watering rim, watering bag or hose?

A stable watering rim is usually the simplest solution for the home garden. A watering bag can save time with a straight young trunk because it releases water over hours. It must be closed correctly, must not cause sharp edges on the trunk and should be filled and checked according to the manufacturer's instructions. For multiple trunks or a very wide trunk base a watering ring is more suitable.

A hose also works if the water runs only slowly and stays in the basin. A lawn sprinkler, however, is unreliable for young trees: it wets a large area without necessarily saturating the root ball deeply. Rainwater is suitable if it has been collected cleanly. You can find tips on this in our article Save money with rainwater.

These mistakes waste water and hardly help the tree

• Spraying superficially every day:The water evaporates quickly and does not reach deep roots.
• Pouring directly at the trunk:In older trees the absorbent fine roots are further out. Young trees need the entire root ball, not just a wet trunk base.
• Watering in the midday heat:Then evaporation losses are high. Briefly drooping leaves can also be a temporary midday reaction.
• Skipping after a brief shower:A few millimetres of rain often only wet the surface. A straight-sided container in the garden better shows how much actually arrived.
• Piling mulch against the trunk:A "mulch volcano" keeps the bark wet. A flat layer with a free area around the trunk is better.

How to recognize drought stress?

Warning signs are leaves that remain limp or rolled for longer periods, dry leaf edges, unusually early leaf drop and premature autumn colouring. First check the soil, because similar symptoms can also occur with waterlogging or root damage. If the root ball is dry, water slowly. If water stands in the watering rim for a long time, the soil needs a break and possibly a check of the drainage.

For the work itself: water preferably in the morning and postpone heavy gardening during the hottest part of the day. Further information is in the guide Planning garden work correctly in hot weather.

Quick plan for today

1. Prioritise young trees by planting year and location.
2. Check the soil under the mulch and take actual rainfall into account.
3. Close the watering rim and release water slowly.
4. Make the amount verifiable with a watering can or bucket test.
5. Check the penetration depth the next day.

Sources and further information

• GeoSphere Austria: Drought remains a massive problem in Austria
• Natur im Garten: Watering young trees
• DIE UMWELTBERATUNG: Watering correctly in the heat

Feature image: AI-generated stock image with gpt-image-2, created for meinhaushalt.at.